That there are no hardships today? There are still those who say that nowadays the flamenco It lacks a cause, the kind that makes the voices cry out in a more tragic way, causing pain, wounding. The idea still persists that to sing seguiriyas well, one must go hungry. No, for God's sake!
The Macanita He carried in his chest all the weariness a person can hold, baring his soul to the public of Villamarta Theatre...at the premiere of a show she had been preparing for months, which was originally scheduled to debut on October 4th. The fundamental reason for the proposal was, and still is, to nuance, from her own perspective, the legacy of Antonio GallardoThe poet and lyricist from Jerez, whose birth centenary was commemorated in 2025, was honored with a performance that had to be postponed due to the death of his brother. Among the activities planned, such as conferences, exhibitions, and a memorial, was this performance. MacanoAt the Villamarta, he poured out all the emotions he had held back for months in the form of songs, zambras, and bulerías.
Tomasa had Pepe del Morao For musical direction, a guarantee in all aspects and in stage coordination. The piano of José Zarzana made the score bloom with I pray to the Nazarene...with a turquoise Macanita, cathedral-like, solemn, and imposing. To the momentary intimacy was added Bernardo Parrilla with the violin, to perform Soleá of my sorrows, always with The Paquera of Jerez In memory, the interpreter who gave the greatest prominence to Gallardo's compositions. The moment when she recalled was especially beautiful. Tower, a title that the artist recorded on the album Love that goes back and forth (1992) and which represented for his career the definitive confirmation as an artist of greater vision.
"La Macanita carried in her chest all the fatigue that a person can hold, revealing her soul to the audience of the Villamarta Theatre, in the premiere of a show that she had been preparing for months and which was scheduled to premiere on October 4, but had to be postponed due to the death of her brother Macano."
There, the compass of the palmas de Diego Montoya, the Macano and Javi Peña, and the percussion of Periko Navarro They took a stand. Furthermore, the voices of María y Tomasa Peña They were part of the triumphant ensemble that night. He left immediately. María José SantiagoWearing a pristine white suit finished with fringe, after a piano solo by Zarzana that drew applause for its bulerías rhythm. Always elegant and an artist in all his splendor.
María José liked herself in Stir of SongsAnd then they performed a duet with Macanita Those four capesIt's worth remembering that Tomasa started out as a young girl with María José, always with Gallardo bringing them together, as in the popular Christmas carol. Her Divine Little Facewhich wasn't played on Saturday because it wasn't Christmas Eve. "Even the cats sing it," María José joked. Deep in The Path of the Wind, giving way to a Macanita bullfighter, with a fuchsia outfit and a small cape, excusing the absence of Juan José PadillaShe had planned to accompany him for some bullfighting maneuvers, but couldn't because of the date change. "I'll eat the bull myself with potatoes," she said, to everyone's laughter.
Jesus Mendez Yes, he was there, and in his usual way, at the top. He chose the title for this tribute to Gallardo. The light in your gray eyes and, with Tomasa in black, I curse your green eyesJerez at its finest, with finesse, class, and beautiful voices. Top-notch, and the audience clearly appreciated it. This was evident in the bulerías and the spectacular finale, which left everyone who attended in a state of immense joy. Macanita set her sorrows to music, and we wept with her.
Credits
La Macanita sings to Antonio Gallardo
Villamarta Theatre, Jerez
April 18th 2026
CanteThe Little Macarena
Piano: José Zarzana
Guitar: Pepe del Morao
Violin: Bernardo Parrilla
Percussion: Perico Navarro
Chorus: Tomasa, Maria Peña
Palmas and compass: Chicharito, Macano, Javi Peña and Diego Montoya
Guest artists: María José Santiago and Jesús Méndez
